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Monday, January 18, 2016

Korean Dating: Pensions and Weekend Getaways

Hi Lovelies! Shhh... whisper to me: have you ever been to a pension in the countryside with your lover??

I just got back from a romantic winter weekend getaway with the Lovely BF (LBF) and felt inspired to write about this charming facet of Korean dating.

Road trip time!! ^o^

Y'all know that Seoul is a huge city with lots to do, but sometimes it's nice to get out of town with your SO. Especially when the weather has been such crap!

This is what Seoul looks like lately.

So maybe you need a break? You choose a destination with pretty scenery and fun activities, then you need a place to stay. Maybe you want something a bit nicer than the tacky love motels/minimalist minbaks or a bit cheaper than the expensive resort hotels. Why not try a pension?

Korean pensions are like romantic guesthouses for couples. Well, they're not necessarily exclusively for couples but clearly have that in mind. Some of them have themes and decor that range from cute to cheesy--sometimes tasteful, but rarely elegant. These days there are more elegant options, but they're pricier. There have been more spa pensions popping up, which are kind of like tiny spa hotels.

They're usually cozy, however, and try to make a lovely space for couples to spend a day or two enjoying each other's company. There's usually a big bed, a hot tub, a nice TV, a balcony for watching sunsets, swimming pool, etc. Some offer free breakfast. There's also usually a grill and picnic area so you and your sweetie can make cook BBQ together (because nothing says romance like samgyeopsal and beer lol). I'm not totally sure, but I think prices for basic rooms usually average from 100,000 to 200,000 per night.

LBF just decided to take me on a spontaneous long weekend to Seonjaedo, a little island near Incheon.

For getaway destinations, check out CNN Travel's list of 33 beautiful islands to visit in Korea!

It was freezing cold, so our beach walking hours were limited, but the winter sea was lovely and walking on a snowy beach was pretty magical. Even better was relaxing in a hot tub with champagne ad watching the snow outside! We also cooked our own BBQ for the first time, which was super fun and delicious! ^^

LBF is an excellent cook ;)

Not sure what to pack? Keep in mind that when visiting the country, you can keep it casual compared to Seoul.